Apricot tree named ‘Suaprifourteen’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct apricot tree,  Prunus armeniaca  cv. ‘Suaprifourteen’ is characterized as a productive mid-season variety with fruit size of approximately 92 gm, a high degree of red overcolor covering about 30% of the surface, and a high sugar content of about 18° brix.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus armeniaca.

Variety denomination: ‘Suaprifourteen’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, herein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘Suaprifourteen’.The new variety was first originated by hybridized in May 2012 by TerryA. Bacon as breeder number: ‘AP1440’.

The new variety is characterized as a productive mid-season variety withfruit size of approximately 92 gm, a high degree of red overcolorcovering about 30% of the surface, and a high sugar content of about 18°brix.

The seed parent is ‘AP540’ (unpatented breeding selection), and thepollen parent is ‘BSCot2’ (unpatented breeding selection). The parentvarieties were first crossed in February 2008, with the date of firstsowing being February 2009, and the date of first flowering beingFebruary 2011. The new apricot variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ was firstasexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. inJanuary 2013 by grafting.

The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ can be distinguished from its seedparent, ‘AP540’ (unpatented breeding selection) in that harvest of fruitfrom the new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ starts later at about May 14,compared to about May 5 for ‘AP540’. The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’also has a higher degree Brix at 18° compared to 13° for ‘AP540’.

The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ is similar to its pollen parent,‘BSCot2’ (unpatented breeding selection) in that the fruit of eachvariety ripens at about the same time. The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’can be distinguished from ‘BSCot2’ in that it has a smaller fruit sizeat about 92 g compared to about 117 g for the fruit of ‘BSCot2’. The newvariety ‘Suaprifourteen’ has a higher degree Brix at 18° compared to 14°for ‘BSCot2’. The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ also has a bright orangebackground color compared to dull greenish for ‘BSCot2’.

The fruit of the new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ ripens at about the sametime as the fruit of ‘Suapriseven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,165) and thefruit size is also similar. However, fruit of the new variety‘Suaprifourteen’ has a higher Brix at 18° compared to 15° for‘Suapriseven’. Additionally, the fruit of the new variety‘Suaprifourteen’ has a lower acidity of 1.3% TA compared to 2.3% TA for‘Supriseven’ and a higher percent blush at 30% compared to 20% for‘Supriseven’. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ ripens atabout the same time as ‘Castlebrite’ (unpatented) but has a higher Brixof 18° compared to 13° for ‘Castlebrite’. Moreover, the fruit of the newvariety ‘Suaprifourteen’ has a higher blush at 30% compare to 0% for thefruit of ‘Castlebrite’.

The new variety ‘Suaprifourteen’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of a 4 year old plant of the present newapricot variety ‘Suaprifourteen’. The illustration shows the upper andlower surface of the leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, and asectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show fleshcolor, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographicillustration was taken shortly after the fruit was picked and the colorsare as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representationof this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old‘Suaprifourteen’ plants grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County,Calif., during 2015 and is believed to apply to plants of the varietygrown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on 3 year old trees unless otherwise    noted).    -   -   Tree size.—Medium. Reaches a height of 3.5 meters with            normal pruning.        -   Spread.—3 meters.        -   Tree vigor.—Medium-high. Growth of approximately 2 meters            height the first growing season.        -   Tree growth.—Semi-upright.        -   Tree productivity.—Productive; sets two or more times the            final number of fruit. About 700 25 lb cartons of fruit are            obtained per acre for mature trees trained in a traditional            California vase at 170 trees/acre.        -   Tree form.—Vase formed.        -   Bearer.—Regular.        -   Fertility.—Unknown.        -   Tree canopy density.—Medium. Pruning is required to open            tree vase shape, allowing more sunlight to reach the center            of the tree.        -   Tree hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit-growing areas of            California. Winter chilling requirement is approximately 500            hours at or below 7.2° C.        -   Tree disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing            for relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has            been undertaken. Under close observation in the area of            Wasco, Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit            disease resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements at 30 cm above soil line).    -   -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 21 cm.        -   Trunk texture.—Moderately shaggy.        -   Trunk color (outer bark).—About Medium Greyed-Green 198B and            Light Greyed-Green 198D, with areas of Medium Greyed-Orange            176A.        -   Trunk color (inner bark).—About Light Greyed-Orange 174C and            Medium Greyed-Orange 174A.-   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).    -   -   Branch diameter.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Branch texture.—Smooth on 1^(st) year wood, increasing            roughness with tree age.        -   Branch color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 173A with Light            Orange-White 159D in more exposed areas.        -   Branch lenticels.—Few. Size: Medium. Density (no./cm²):            Variable, about 5/cm². Color: About Light Orange-White 159D.            Typical size: Approximately 4 mm in length and approximately            2 mm wide.-   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in July at midpoint of current-season    growth. Color and sizes described may vary due to differences in    sunlight, vigor and temperatures.).    -   -   Flowering shoot diameter.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Flowering shoot color.—Topside: About Dark Greyed-Purple            187A. Underside: About Dark Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Amount: Sparse. Color: About Dark            Greyed-White 156A. Diameter: Approximately 0.5mm.        -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:            Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color:            About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A.        -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Elongated ovoid. Width:            Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Color:            About Dark Greyed-Orange 165A Number: Usually 2.        -   Internode length.—Medium and variable, approximately 1-4 cm            midway on flowering shoots.        -   Density of buds.—Medium.        -   Distribution.—Generally isolated on spurs and one year old            shoots and older wood.        -   Ration of wood (leaf) bud to flowering shoots.—1/2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of    current-season growth. Color and sizes described may vary due to    differences in sunlight, vigor and temperatures).    -   -   Leaf size.—Large. Length: Medium, approximately 90 mm.            Width: Medium, approximately 83 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Medium, typical of Prunus armeniaca.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface: About Dark Green 131A. Lower            surface: About Medium Green 137C.        -   Leaf form.—Circular.        -   Leaf tip.—Mucronate.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.        -   Venation.—Pinately net veined.        -   Vein color.—About Medium Green 138B.        -   Leaf surface texture.—Smooth on lower and upper surfaces.        -   Leaf blade (ratio length/width).—Small.        -   Shape in cross section.—Flat.        -   Angle at apex.—Small.        -   Profile.—Flat.        -   Leaf blade tip.—In the plane of the leaf.        -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.        -   Arrangement of leaves.—Alternate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Long, approximately 24 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 138B, becoming Medium Greyed-Red            181A in sunlight.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Stipules:    -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Approximately 0 to 2.        -   Typical length.—Approximately 7 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 139C.        -   Persistence.—Fall off.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Glands:    -   -   Form.—Globose.        -   Number.—Approximately 0 to 3, usually 3.        -   Position.—On petiole, usually opposite, with occasional            single gland.        -   Size.—Medium, approximately 0.6 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-Purple 183A.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   First bloom.—February 21.        -   Location of first bloom.—Upper portion of the canopy.        -   Full bloom.—February 25.        -   Location of full bloom.—Middle of the canopy.        -   Time of bloom.—Medium, typical for commercial apricots in            San Joaquin Valley, Calif.        -   Duration of bloom.—Medium, about 10 days.        -   Diameter of fully open flower.—Medium, approximately 25 mm            to 35 mm, usually about 32 mm.        -   Flower aroma.—Very slight.        -   Shape.—Rosaceous.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Medium, approximately 3 mm.        -   Diameter.—Medium, approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Yellow-Green 145C, with highlights of            about Medium Red 46D.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.        -   Length.—Approximately 12 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 10 mm.        -   Shape.—Circular.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Color.—Inner Surface: About Light Red 36D. Outer Surface:            About Light Red 36D.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth on lower and upper surfaces.        -   Margins.—Smooth and slightly undulating.        -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.        -   Margin waviness.—Weak.        -   Base angle.—Wide.        -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.5 mm.        -   Shape.—Broad ovate.        -   Color.—About Medium Red 43B.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Entire.        -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals when first opened, folding            back against receptacle as flower nears petal fall.        -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.        -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 25.        -   Length.—Approximately 7 mm to 12 mm, average 10 mm.        -   Filament color.—About White 155A.        -   Anther color.—About Medium Yellow 11A.        -   Pollen color.—About Medium Yellow 11A.        -   Position.—Perigynous.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually one.        -   Average length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Medium.        -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Below the            anthers.        -   Frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few.-   Receptacle:    -   -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 4 mm.        -   Pubescence of inner surface (at pink bud stage).—Absent.        -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.

FRUIT

-   (Data taken at firm-ripe on 3 year old tree managed to obtain    maximum quality under conditions stated in Description of Variety.    Timing, colors and sizes described may vary due to differences in    sunlight, vigor and temperatures).-   General:    -   -   Fruit harvest.—Date of First Pick: Approximately May 15.            Date of Mid-Harvest: Approximately May 19. Date of Last            Pick: Approximately May 25.        -   Date of description.—Approximately May 19.        -   Maturity when described.—Firm-mature.        -   Season ripening.—Mid-season for apricots in central San            Joaquin Valley, Calif.        -   Position of maximum diameter.—Towards the middle.        -   Symmetry about the suture.—Nearly symmetrical.-   Fruit size:    -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 55 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 54 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 56 mm.        -   Average weight.—Approximately 92 gm.-   Fruit apex shape: Slightly indented at tip.-   Fruit apex base: Rounded.-   Fruit stem cavity:    -   -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Depth.—Medium, approximately 10 mm.        -   Breadth.—Approximately 15 mm.-   Fruit stem:    -   -   Length.—Medium, Approximately 8 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Green 143C.        -   Adherence to stone.—Usually free from stone.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium, typical of commercial apricots.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, slightly pubescent.        -   Pubescence.—Scant, short, does not need roll up when rubbed.        -   Bloom.—Absent.        -   Ground color.—About Dark Orange 26A.        -   Overcolor.—About Medium Red 45C, covering about 30% of            surface.        -   Taste.—Mildly tart.        -   Reticulation.—Absent.        -   Tendency to crack.—Slight, in wet seasons.-   Fruit flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Melting.        -   Fibers.—Few.        -   Flavor.—Sweet-mild and aromatic.        -   Sugar content.—High, Brix 18°.        -   Brix acid ratio.—Approximately 13.85.        -   Juice.—Abundant to moderate.        -   Acidity.—Medium, about 1.3%        -   Aroma.—Abundant.        -   Firmness.—Firm, about 7 lbf.        -   Color.—About Dark Orange 26A.        -   Anthocyanin color under skin.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin color of flesh.—Absent.        -   Anthocyanin color around stone.—Absent.-   Pit cavity size:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 30 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 24 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 12 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Orange 26A.-   Fruit shipping/keeping quality: Medium.-   Market use of fruit: Fresh market.-   Stone:    -   -   Stone freeness.—Free.        -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Medium.        -   Size.—Medium. Length: Medium, approximately 28 mm. Diameter            in Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 22 mm. Diameter            Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 11 mm.        -   Stone/flesh ration.—4 g/92 g.        -   Size compared to fruit.—Small.        -   Stone form (viewed from side).—Round-elongated.        -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Oval, narrow.        -   Stone base shape.—Rounded.        -   Stone apex shape.—Nearly rounded.        -   Hilum.—Narrow, approximately 3 mm.        -   Stone surface.—Slightly pitted throughout with two distinct            continuous ridges on either side of ventral edge.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partly developed.        -   Stone tendency to split.—Rare.        -   Stone color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 164C.        -   Position of maximum.—Middle.        -   Sides.—Nearly equal.        -   Pits.—Shallow, somewhat regular throughout.        -   Fibers.—Absent or not noticeable.        -   Ventrical edge.—Thin with slight wing towards middle.        -   Dorsal edge.—Thin, continuous and rounded.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree named‘Suaprifourteen’ as herein illustrated and described.